Vaccinations

• A vaccine is available for meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitides
  
  
  • Incoming college freshmen who live in close quarters, such as dormitories, may be given a vaccine to prevent meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis.
    
    
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended this vaccine on a voluntary basis
    
    
  • People travelling to areas of the world with high rates of meningitis may also benefit from this immunization.
    
    
• The pneumonia vaccine may provide protection against some types of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is recommended primarily for people at risk for pneumonia, but may provide some protection from meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae as well. People who may benefit from the pneumonia vaccine include all persons over 65 years of age, as well as:
  
  
  • People with chronic lung disease
    
    
  • Debilitated people
    
    
  • People with sickle cell anemia
    
    
  • People who have had their spleen removed
    
    
• Although not normally given to adults, the Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine is routinely given to children and is effective in preventing meningitis due to this type of bacteria. It is not normally given to adults, but may be useful for people with the following:
  
  
  • Sickle cell anemia
    
    
  • Leukemia
    
    
  • HIV/AIDS
    
    
  • Removal of the spleen
    
    
  • Bone marrow transplant
    
    
  • Receiving chemotherapy for cancer